Tapered bolt receiver for a door lock

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are embodiments of a tapered bolt receiver for a door lock to accommodate misalignment, between a deadbolt mounted to a door, and an opposing jamb. The tapered bolt receiver can be configured to accommodate misalignment for a deadbolt having a non-tapered bolt, such as for an electromechanical smart lock having a battery stored within a battery compartment that is integrated with an enhanced bolt. Also disclosed are embodiments of a deadbolt plate pivot assembly that is pivotably mountable to a corresponding deadbolt assembly to define a plate pivot system, to accommodate a beveled door edge. An illustrative embodiment of the deadbolt plate pivot assembly includes opposing plate that captures a hinge assembly, which can include plastic plate hinges, which serve to locate the deadbolt plate pivot assembly with respect to a corresponding bolt housing, and can provide a spring force and/or constant torque when mounted to a beveled door.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/396,794, entitled “Method, System and Apparatus for a FullyFunctional Modern Day Smart Lock”, filed on 19 Sep. 2016, which isincorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

At least one embodiment of the present invention pertains to a taperedbolt receiver for a deadbolt assembly. At least one specific embodimentof the present invention pertains to a tapered bolt receiver for anelectromechanical deadbolt lock.

BACKGROUND

A deadbolt receiver, commonly known as a strike plate, utilizes a holein which receives a deadbolt. Such a deadbolt receiver is commonlymounted within a door jamb, or in some applications is mounted to a jambsurface of an opposing door, such as for double door installation, e.g.,French doors.

Many door installations suffer from one or more sources of misalignmentbetween a door and a corresponding jamb, such that a conventionaldeadbolt mounted to the door is often misaligned with its correspondingdeadbolt receiver.

To accommodate such misalignments, beyond in situ adjustments and/orrepairs, conventional deadbolts commonly include a substantial taperedprofile, such as to ease the deadbolt through a non-aligned receiver. Insome products, the deadbolts are intentionally undersized, to extend totheir full throw, i.e., their locked position, with a decreased chanceof interference with the deadbolt receiver.

In addition to door and/or jamb misalignment, doors are often beveled tobe able to swing into the jamb without interference between the door andthe jamb. Currently, American National Standards Institute (ANSI)standard front doors allow for a bevel edge of up to ⅛ inch for astandard 2 inch thick door, thus having a bevel angle of about 3.5degrees. This results in the edge of the door not being perpendicular tothe bolt door hole. Current deadbolt manufacturers overcome this byincreasing gaps in bolt plates, and/or by using smaller diameterdeadbolts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by wayof example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a tapered boltreceiver for a deadbolt assembly.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of adeadbolt assembly having a front plate and a tapered bolt receiver.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective cutaway view of an illustrativeembodiment of a deadbolt assembly having a front plate and a taperedbolt receiver.

FIG. 4 is an expanded assembly view of an illustrative embodiment of adeadbolt assembly having a front plate and a tapered bolt receiver.

FIG. 5 is side cutaway view of an illustrative embodiment of a deadboltassembly, in which the leading end of the bolt is extended to contactthe surface of a tapered receiver hole of a tapered bolt receiver.

FIG. 6 is side cutaway view of an illustrative embodiment of a deadboltassembly, in which the leading end of the bolt is extended through atapered receiver hole of a tapered bolt receiver.

FIG. 7 is side cutaway view of an illustrative embodiment of a deadboltassembly, in which the leading end of the bolt is fully extended to alocker position through a tapered receiver hole of a tapered boltreceiver.

FIG. 8 is a partial detailed cutaway view of an illustrative taperedbolt receiver in which the tapered bolt receiver hole includes a lineartapered profile.

FIG. 9 is a partial detailed cutaway view of an illustrative taperedbolt receiver in which the tapered bolt receiver hole includes aradiused tapered profile.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a tapered boltreceiver for a deadbolt assembly, in which the tapered bolt receiverhole includes a circular upper and lower profile and vertical sides.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a tapered boltreceiver for a deadbolt assembly, in which a rectangular taperedreceiver hole includes vertical sides and horizontal ends.

FIG. 12 is an expanded assembly view of a pivotable front plate inrelation to a deadbolt assembly.

FIG. 13 is an expanded assembly view of a pivotable front plate inrelation to a bolt housing deadbolt assembly, in which the bolt housingincludes upper and lower plate hinge pivots on a leading end.

FIG. 14 is a partial top cutaway view of an illustrative deadbolt platepivot assembly that is mounted to a door having a non-beveled, i.e.,square edge.

FIG. 15 is a partial top cutaway view of an illustrative deadbolt platepivot assembly that is mounted to a door having a beveled, i.e.,non-square edge.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an illustrative method for assembling andinstalling a deadbolt plate pivot assembly, to accommodate a variety ofbeveled door conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References in this description to “an embodiment”, “one embodiment”, orthe like, mean that the particular feature, function, structure orcharacteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment ofthe present invention. Occurrences of such phrases in this specificationdo not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. On the other hand,the embodiments referred to also are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Disclosed are embodiments of a tapered deadbolt receiver plate toaccommodate misalignment between a deadbolt mounted to and extendablefrom a door, and an opposing jamb.

In some embodiments, the tapered deadbolt receiver plate can beconfigured to accommodate misalignment for a deadbolt having anon-tapered bolt, such as for an electromechanical smart lock having abattery stored within a battery compartment that is accessible throughan enhanced bolt having an exposed battery cap.

Also disclosed are embodiments of a deadbolt plate pivot assembly thatis pivotably mountable to a corresponding deadbolt assembly, toaccommodate a beveled door edge. In some embodiments, the deadbolt platepivot assembly can be used with a large diameter deadbolt, while fullyaccommodating such a beveled door.

An illustrative embodiment of the deadbolt plate pivot assembly includesopposing plate that captures a hinge assembly, which can include plasticplate hinges, which serve to locate the deadbolt plate pivot assemblywith respect to a corresponding bolt housing.

In some embodiments, the plastic plate hinges provide a spring forceand/or constant torque when mounted to a beveled door.

Also described are methods for assembling a deadbolt plate pivotassembly with respect to a corresponding deadbolt assembly, and forinstalling the deadbolt assembly that includes the deadbolt plate pivotassembly to a beveled door.

FIG. 1 is a front view 10 of an illustrative embodiment of a taperedbolt receiver 12 for a deadbolt assembly 42 (FIG. 2). The illustrativetapered bolt receiver 12 seen in FIG. 1 has a characteristic thickness56 (FIG. 2), and includes a front surface 20 a and a rear surface 20 bopposite the front surface 20 a, and includes a tapered receiver hole 14defined therethrough. As seen in FIG. 1, an outer diameter 24 a of thetapered receiver hole 14 at the front surface 20 a is larger the innerdiameter 24 a of the tapered receiver hole 14 at the rear surface 20 b,thus defining a tapered profile for receiving a leading edge 202 (FIG.5) of a bolt 48 (FIG. 2), such as defined by a battery cap 50 (FIG. 2)connected to a bolt 48. The tapered bolt receiver 12 can accommodatemisalignment for a deadbolt assembly 42 having a non-tapered bolt 48and/or battery cap 50, such as for an electromechanical smart lockhaving a battery 102 stored within a battery compartment that isintegrated with an enhanced bolt 48.

The illustrative tapered bolt receiver 12 seen in FIG. 1 is generallyrectangular in shape, having opposing edges 26 and sides 28, and has acharacteristic height 16 and width 18. In some embodiments, theillustrative tapered bolt receiver 12 can include radiused corners 34,such as to correspond to a door jamb 708 (FIG. 14) that has been routedfor locating and mounting the tapered bolt receiver 12.

The tapered receiver hole 14 seen in FIG. 1 is located at a distance 26from an upper edge 26, and at a distance 28 from a left side 28. In someembodiments, the tapered receiver hole 14 is centered with respect tothe edges 26 and sides 28.

The illustrative tapered bolt receiver 12 seen in FIG. 1 also includesfastener holes 22, e.g., 22 a,22 b, such as vertically aligned with thetapered receiver hole 14, and separated vertically by distances 30 a,30b, respectively.

The illustrative symmetric tapered bolt receiver 12 seen in FIG. 1, canreadily be mounted in a similar manner to that of a conventionalreceiver plate with respect to a jamb 708 (FIG. 14), and in someembodiments can be used with a corresponding jamb box, which in someembodiments can correspond to the size and shape of the inner receiverhole 24 b.

While the illustrative symmetric tapered bolt receiver 12 seen in FIG. 1includes a circular tapered receiver hole 14, other embodiments of thetapered receiver hole 14 can have different profiles to correspond tothe leading edge, e.g., a battery cap 50 (FIG. 2), of the bolt 48.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view 40 of an illustrative embodiment ofa deadbolt assembly 42 having a front plate 52 and a tapered boltreceiver 12. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective cutaway view 60 of anillustrative embodiment of a deadbolt assembly 42 having a front plate52 and a tapered bolt receiver 12.

The illustrative deadbolt assembly 42 seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 includesa bolt sleeve 46 located within bolt housing 44, for mounting within adoor 702 (FIG. 14). The illustrative bolt 48 seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3is extendable from the deadbolt assembly 42, such as from a fullyretracted position, in which the leading edge 202 of the bolt 48 islocated flush to the face plate 21, or retracted further within theassembly 42, to a fully extended position 410 (FIG. 7), in which theleading edge 202 of the bolt 48 extends through the tapered receiverhole 14 of the tapered bolt receiver 12, such as to lock a door 702(FIG. 14) with respect to a door jamb 708 (FIG. 14).

FIG. 4 is an expanded assembly view 100 of an illustrative embodiment ofa deadbolt assembly 42 having a front plate 52, such as to be used witha tapered bolt receiver 12. The illustrative deadbolt assembly 42includes a bolt housing 44, in which the leading end of the bolt housing44 includes pivot mounting pins 106, e.g., an upper pivot mounting pin106 a and a lower pivot mounting pin 106 b, which as described below,can be used to retain a deadbolt plate pivot assembly (FIG. 12) that canbe used to accommodate a beveled door 702 (FIG. 15).

The illustrative deadbolt assembly 42 also includes bolt sleeve 46 thatis slidably locatable within the bolt housing 44, such as by one or morelongitudinal ridges 112 on the bolt sleeve 46, which correspond to oneor more longitudinal grooves 114 defined within the interior of the bolthousing 44.

The illustrative front plate 52 seen in FIG. 4 includes a hole 104defined therethrough, through which the bolt 48 can extend from theinterior of the bolt sleeve 46, such as by manual or electromechanicalaction of the deadbolt assembly 42. The front plate 52 seen in FIG. 4also includes fastener holes 110, e.g., 110 a,110 b, definedtherethrough, by which the deadlock assembly 42 can be affixed to a door702.

A battery 102 can be slidably inserted and stored within an interiorregion 120 defined in the bolt 48. In some embodiments, the battery 102comprises a CR2 dry-cell 3.0 Volt dc battery, having a length of 27.0mm, and a diameter of 15.1-15.6 mm, such as Model No. ELI1CRBP LithiumBattery, available through Energizer Holding, Inc., Town and Country,Mo.

The illustrative deadbolt assembly 42 seen in FIG. 4 also includesbattery cap 50 that is used to retain the battery 102 within theinterior region 120 of the bolt 48, and to provide an electricalconnection to the battery 102. The battery cap 50 typically includesouter threads 122 that correspond to inner threads 124 defined withinthe interior region 120 of the bolt 48.

The battery cap 50 seen in FIG. 4 defines a leading end 202 (FIG. 5) ofthe bolt 48, which can be retracted for a door 702 to be opened, andextended to engage the bolt 42 through a tapered receiver hole 14 of atapered bolt receiver 12.

Operation of Deadbolt with Tapered Bolt Receiver.

FIG. 5 is side cutaway view 200 of an illustrative embodiment of adeadbolt assembly 42, in which the leading end 202 of the bolt 48 isextended, e.g., such as corresponding to axis 204 y, to contact thesurface of a tapered receiver hole 14 of a tapered bolt receiver 12.FIG. 6 is side cutaway view 300 of an illustrative embodiment of adeadbolt assembly 42, in which the leading end 202 of the bolt 48 isextended further through a tapered receiver hole 14 of a tapered boltreceiver 12. FIG. 7 is side cutaway view 400 of an illustrativeembodiment of a deadbolt assembly 42, in which the leading end 202 ofthe bolt is fully extended 410, such as to a locked position, through atapered receiver hole 14 of a tapered bolt receiver 12.

The deadbolt assembly 42 seen in FIGS. 5-7 includes a generallynon-tapered lead end 202, using a bolt cap 50 that is threadablyconnected to the bolt 48, to provide user access to a battery 102. Theillustrative bolt cap 50 seen in FIGS. 5-7 has a lead end 202 thatcorresponds to the full diameter of the bolt 48, which is compensated bythe use of the tapered bolt receiver 12.

The tapered bolt receiver 12 has a beveled opening 14, which can providea few degrees of guide for the bolt 48. FIG. 8 is a partial detailedcutaway view 420 of an illustrative tapered bolt receiver 12 in whichthe tapered bolt receiver hole 14 includes a linear tapered profile 422t. FIG. 9 is a partial detailed cutaway view 440 of an illustrativetapered bolt receiver 12 in which the tapered bolt receiver hole 14includes a radiused tapered profile 422 r. In some embodiments, thespecific tapered profile 422 is determined based on the profile of thelead end 202 of the bolt 48. In some embodiments the specific taperedprofile 422 can be asymmetric, such as to provide different taperprofile in the horizontal and/or vertical direction.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a tapered boltreceiver 12, e.g., 12 b, for a deadbolt assembly, in which the taperedbolt receiver hole 14 includes a circular upper and lower profile, e.g.,having corresponding diameters 24 a,24 b, and vertical sides, separatedby corresponding widths 464 a,464 b. FIG. 11 is a front view 480 of anillustrative embodiment of a tapered bolt receiver 12, e.g., 12 c, for adeadbolt assembly, in which a rectangular tapered bolt receiver hole 14b includes vertical sides having corresponding heights 482 a,482 b, andhorizontal ends, having corresponding widths 464 a,464 b. As seen inFIGS. 1, 10, and 11, tapered bolt receiver 12 can suitably be adapted toprovide a variety of different shapes.

In operation, the tapered bolt receiver 12 can achieve alignment for theinterface, without the use of a tapered bolt 48. The tapered boltreceiver 12 can guide the lead end 202 of the bolt 48 in, such as towardthe fully extended position 410, and allows at least some misalignmentto be absorbed. As such, the tapered bolt receiver 12 can providetolerance for as-built conditions, e.g., any of swelling, settling, orinstallation.

Deadbolt Plate Pivot Assemblies.

In addition to door and/or jamb misalignment, doors are often beveled tobe able to swing into the jamb without interference between the door andthe jamb. Currently, American National Standards Institute (ANSI)standard front doors allow for a bevel edge of up to ⅛ inch for astandard 2 inch thick door, thus having a bevel angle of about 3.5degrees. This results in the edge of the door not being perpendicular tothe bolt door hole. Current deadbolt manufacturers overcome this byincreasing gaps in bolt plates, and/or by using smaller diameterdeadbolts.

Some embodiments of the deadbolt assemblies 42 disclosed herein caninclude deadbolt pivot plate assemblies 502 (FIGS. 9-11) and methods 900(FIG. 16), which can fully accommodate such a beveled door 702 (FIG.14).

FIG. 12 is an expanded assembly view of a door lock bolt plate pivotsystem 500, comprising a deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 for acorresponding deadbolt assembly 42. FIG. 13 is an expanded assembly view600 of a deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 in relation to a bolt housingdeadbolt assembly 42, in which the bolt housing 44 includes upper andlower plate hinge pivots 106 a,106 b, on a leading end.

FIG. 14 is a partial top cutaway view 600 of an illustrative deadboltplate pivot assembly 502 that is mounted to a door 702 having anon-beveled, i.e., square edge 704. FIG. 15 is a partial top cutawayview of an illustrative deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 that ismounted to a door 702 having a beveled, i.e., non-square, edge 804. Theillustrative doors 702 seen in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are hinged to rotateabout axis 204 z, such as across a plane defined by 204 x and 204 y, andin the closed position, the doors 704 and deadlock assemblies 42 alignedwith respect to axis 204 y.

The deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 includes two opposing plates,e.g., a front plate 52 and a back plate 504, that capture a hinges 106,e.g., 106 a,106 b, which in some embodiments comprise a constant torquehinge 106. The constant torque hinges 106 allow the user U to installthe deadbolt 42 as one normally would, and secure with screws, causingthe bolt hinges 106 to rotate (FIG. 15), such as to accommodate abeveled door edge 804 (FIG. 15).

The illustrative back plate 504 seen in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 includes ahole 606 defined therethrough, through which the bolt housing 44 can beslidably positioned to assemble the deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502.The illustrative back plate 504 seen in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 alsoincludes door fastener holes 510, e.g., 510 a,105 b, definedtherethrough, by which the deadlock assembly 42 can be affixed to a door702. As well, the illustrative back plate 504 seen in FIG. 12 and FIG.13 also includes assembly fastener holes 608 defined therethrough, bywhich the back plate 504 can be affixed to the front plate 52, byfasteners 508.

In contrast to a conventional door plate, which typically includesloosely fit parts, that can rattle until they are secured to a door 702,the deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 provides a robust high-qualitysolution accommodate beveled door edges 804.

The illustrative bolt housing 44 seen in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 utilizestwo pins 106, e.g., 106 a,106 b, that are captured between the twoplates 52,504 of the deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502. The illustrativedeadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 seen in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 includesmolded plastic plate hinges 506, e.g., 506 a,506 b, which are installedaround corresponding pins 106 a,106 b, to provide a spring force 802(FIG. 15), e.g., torsion, and a location mechanism, behind the frontplate 52, and captured by the back plate 504.

As discussed above, doors 702 are often beveled 804 by a few degrees,such as during installation or during service, so that when the door 702closes, the door 702 can pass the jamb 702 into a closed position,wherein the door can be latched and if desired, locked.

To compensate of different door bevel conditions, conventional doorfaceplates typically include very loose tolerances in theirconstruction, and are usually pretty thin. Consequently, such face plateoften wobble and rattle until they are screwed down into the face of awood door 702.

In contrast to conventional techniques, the deadbolt plate pivotassembly 502 provides a robust, high-quality structure that can besecurely pre-assembled to a deadbolt assembly 42, and can provideimproved tolerances, such as with respect to the bolt 48 and bolt cap50.

The deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 is securely supported by the platehinges 506 a,506 b, e.g., constant-torque hinges 506, which beforemounting, can rest in a square position, i.e., aligned with the deadboltassembly 42, and can be securely positioned and affixed to a door 702throughout a range of bevel conditions 804. For instance, in someembodiments, the deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 provides a bevelrange of plus or minus 3.5 degrees.

The deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 therefore provides very solidconstruction. As the deadbolt assembly 42 is fastened to the door 702,the deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502 conforms to bevel 804 of the door710.

An illustrative embodiment of a door lock bolt plate pivot system 500comprises a bolt housing 44 for a deadbolt assembly 42, wherein the bolthousing 46 has an exterior surface 522 (FIG. 12) and includes a rear end526 (FIG. 12) and a front end 524 (FIG. 12) opposite the rear end 526,and a pair of vertically-aligned pivot mounting pins 106 a,106 b locatedon the exterior surface 522 of the bolt housing 44 at the front end 524,a back plate 504 having an outer surface and an inner surface oppositethe outer surface, wherein the inner surface and the outer surfaceextend from an upper end to a lower end, the back plate 505 including acentral deadbolt hole 604 defined though the back plate 504 from theouter surface to the inner surface, through which the rear end 526 ofthe bolt housing 44 can pass, an upper fastener hole 510 a definedthough the back plate 504 a from the outer surface to the inner surface,wherein the upper door fastener hole 504 a is located between thecentral deadbolt hole 604 and the upper end, a lower door fastener hole510 b defined though the back plate 504 from the outer surface to theinner surface, wherein the upper door fastener hole 510 b is locatedbetween the central deadbolt hole 604 and the lower end, and a pluralityof assembly fastener holes 608 defined though the back plate 504 fromthe outer surface to the inner surface, a front plate 52 having an outersurface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein theinner surface and the outer surface extend from an upper end to a lowerend, the front plate 52 including a central hole 104 defined though thefront plate 52 from the outer surface to the inner surface, throughwhich a bolt 48 of the deadbolt assembly can extend, an upper doorfastener hole 110 a defined though the front plate 52 from the outersurface to the inner surface, wherein the upper door fastener hole 110 ais located between the central hole 104 and the upper end, a lowerfastener hole 110 b defined though the back plate 52 from the outersurface to the inner surface, wherein the upper door fastener hole 110 bis located between the central hole 104 and the lower end, a pluralityof threaded fastener holes 720 defined on the inner surface, a pair ofplastic plate hinges 506 a,506 b pivotably located on respectivevertically-aligned pivot mounting pins 106 a,106 b and a plurality ofassembly fasteners 508 extending from the outer surface of the backplate 504, through the assembly fastener holes 608, and threadablyattached to the plurality of threaded fastener holes 710 on the innersurface of the front plate 52, wherein the plastic plate hinges 506a,506 b are confined between the back plate 504 and the front plate 52,to define the deadbolt pivot plate assembly 502, wherein the deadboltpivot plate assembly 502 is affixed to the front end 524 of the bolthousing 44 through the hinges 506 a,506 b to define the door lock boltplate pivot system, wherein the deadbolt pivot plate assembly 502 isvertically pivotable with respect to the bolt housing 44.

Construction of Deadbolt Plate Pivot Assembly and Installation.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an illustrative method 900 for assembling 902a deadbolt plate pivot assembly 502, and installing 910 an assembleddeadlock assembly 502 that includes an assembled deadbolt plate pivotassembly 502, to accommodate a variety of beveled door conditions 804.

The illustrative construction 902 of a deadbolt plate pivot assembly502, such as seen in FIG. 16, can be performed at any time, such asduring manufacture of the deadbolt assembly, or after acquisition by auser U, such as just before installation 910. The illustrativeconstruction 902 seen in FIG. 16 includes mounting 904 the plate hinges506, e.g., 506 a,506 b, to their corresponding upper and lower pivotstabs 106, 106 a,106 b (FIG. 4) located on the bolt housing 44. Theopposing plates 52,504 are then positioned 906 on opposing sides of theplate hinges 506, wherein the plate hinges 596 are confined within acavity defined between the back plate 504 and the front plate 52. Theopposing plates 52,504 can include corresponding recesses 520 (FIG. 12)and tabs 516 (FIG. 12), respectively, to aid in alignment between theplates 52,505. The opposing plates 52,504 are then fastened together908, such as with fasteners 508 that extend through assembly fastenerholes 608 and into threaded holes 720 (FIG. 14) defined in the frontplate 52.

FIG. 14 also shows an illustrative installation 910 of an assembleddeadlock assembly 502 that includes an assembled deadbolt plate pivotassembly 502, in which the assembled deadlock assembly 502 is readilypositioned 912 within deadlock hole within a door 702, and is thenfastened to the door 702, using fasteners that extend through holes 110,e.g., 110 a,110 b, and 510, e.g., 510 a,510 b, and into the door 702.

Although the present invention has been described with reference tospecific exemplary embodiments, it will be recognized that the inventionis not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced withmodification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regardedin an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tapered bolt receiver for a doorway having adoor jamb, the tapered bolt receiver comprising: a metallic receiverplate having a first outer surface and a second inner surface oppositethe first outer surface, and a thickness defined between the first outersurface and the second inner surface, wherein the metallic receiverplate includes opposing sides having a corresponding height, andopposing edges having a corresponding width, the metallic receiver plateplanar in shape; two mounting holes defined through the metallicreceiver plate extending from the first outer surface to the secondinner surface, wherein corresponding fasteners can extend from the firstouter surface through the second inner surface to fixedly mount thereceiver plate to the door jamb; and a circular receiver hole forreceiving a bolt extending from a deadbolt that is fixedly mounted to adoor that is hingedly mounted to the doorway, wherein the receiver holeis defined through the metallic receiver plate extending from the firstouter surface to the second inner surface, wherein the receiver holedefines a first diameter at the first outer surface, and a seconddiameter at the second inner surface, and wherein the first diameter islarger than the second diameter, having a tapered surface that extendsfrom the first outer surface toward the second inner surface, thetapered surface terminating at the second inner surface.
 2. The taperedbolt receiver of claim 1, wherein the tapered surface has a linearprofile.
 3. The tapered bolt receiver of claim 1, wherein the taperedsurface has a radiused profile.
 4. The tapered bolt receiver of claim 1,wherein the receiver hole is located symmetrically between an upper edgeand a lower edge of the metallic receiver plate.
 5. The tapered boltreceiver of claim 1, wherein the metallic receiver plate has arectangular shape.
 6. The tapered bolt receiver of claim 5, wherein therectangular shape has radiused corners.
 7. The tapered bolt receiver ofclaim 1, wherein the tapered surface is shaped to guide a bolt extendingfrom the door.
 8. The tapered bolt receiver of claim 1, wherein thetapered surface is shaped to guide a non-tapered bolt extending from thedoor.
 9. A tapered bolt receiver for a doorway having a door jamb, thetapered bolt receiver comprising: a receiver plate having a first outersurface and a second inner surface opposite the first outer surface, anda thickness defined between the first outer surface and the second innersurface, the receiver plate planar in shape; a mounting hole definedthrough the receiver plate extending from the first outer surface to thesecond inner surface, wherein a corresponding fastener can extend fromthe first outer surface through the second inner surface to fixedlymount the receiver plate to the door jamb; and a receiver hole forreceiving a bolt extending from a deadbolt that is fixedly mounted to adoor that is hingedly mounted to the doorway, wherein the receiver holeis defined through the receiver plate extending from the first outersurface to the second inner surface, wherein the receiver hole includesa decreasing tapered surface that extends from the first outer surfacetoward the second inner surface, the decreasing tapered surfaceterminating at the second inner surface.
 10. The tapered bolt receiverof claim 9, wherein the tapered surface has a linear profile.
 11. Thetapered bolt receiver of claim 9, wherein the tapered surface has aradiused profile.
 12. The tapered bolt receiver of claim 9, wherein thereceiver plate is vertically symmetric.
 13. The tapered bolt receiver ofclaim 9, wherein the receiver plate has a rectangular shape.
 14. Thetapered bolt receiver of claim 13, wherein the rectangular shape hasradiused corners.
 15. The tapered bolt receiver of claim 9, wherein thetapered surface is shaped to guide the bolt as the bolt extends from thedoor.
 16. The tapered bolt receiver of claim 15, wherein the bolt has anon-tapered leading end.
 17. The tapered bolt receiver of claim 9,wherein the receiver plate is metallic.
 18. The tapered bolt receiver ofclaim 9, wherein the receiver hole is circular.
 19. The tapered boltreceiver of claim 9, wherein the receiver hole is rectangular.
 20. Thetapered bolt receiver of claim 9, wherein the receiver hole includescircular upper and lower profiles, and vertical sides.